| Westby, Montana, is nestled in the extreme | | | | flock to the area to enjoy their sport. Onstad |
| northeastern corner of the state. In its unique | | | | Memorial Park provides ideal habitat for hundreds |
| location on the combined border of Montana and | | | | of different species of birds migrating through the |
| North Dakota, you need only venture seven miles | | | | area while other grassland birds and less common |
| north to find your way to Canada. This area of | | | | birds such as white pelicans and the endangered |
| the state is wheat and cattle county with gently | | | | piping plover call the area around Westby home. |
| rolling hills speckled with pumping oil wells. | | | | Westby is in the middle of the Missouri coteau, a |
| Just under 200 people call this community home, | | | | vast grassland of native prairie species. That |
| once located three miles to the southeast in North | | | | combined with the Conservation Reserve |
| Dakota. This setting was likely more appropriate | | | | Program have provided the area with prime game |
| as the Danish immigrants that homesteader there | | | | bird habitat. Every fall hunters arrive from all |
| applied for a post office for "Westby" or west | | | | corners of the country to hunt grouse, partridges, |
| town (by meaning town in Danish). A few years | | | | ducks, and geese, but primarily pheasant. |
| later, when word was received that the rail line | | | | Highway 5 winds in from the west and the |
| was going to be constructed a few miles north, | | | | county seat of Plentywood into Main Street. The |
| the town pulled up stakes and relocated to the | | | | isolation that the extreme winters can bring has |
| Montana/North Dakota state line. North Dakota | | | | helped ensure the life of the typical small town |
| was 'dry' at the time so most of the respectable | | | | Main Street business, home to Westby. Aside |
| business settled there and Montana got the | | | | from that, the healthy K-12 school system boasts |
| saloons. The railroad would eventually choose the | | | | a 100% graduation rate and a first rate |
| Montana location as the true town site because | | | | technology department. The recent addition of a |
| freight rates were higher there. That answers the | | | | 100 car grain terminal facility has brought a boost |
| most frequently asked question about the | | | | to both the moral and the economy of the area. |
| relationship between Westby's name and its | | | | Although this area has no mountains, or brooks, |
| location. | | | | or streams, it is beautiful in its own right. Whether |
| Westby has been discovered by few as it is on | | | | your eyes are beholding golden wheat fields |
| the way to nowhere. If it is not your destination, | | | | stretching to the horizon or ice crystals dancing |
| you likely haven't stumbled upon it, but for those | | | | on a fresh blanket of snow, it is breathtaking. In |
| lucky enough to have been informed about its | | | | our mind nothing depicts "The Big Sky Country" |
| treasures and made the trek, few have left | | | | better than eastern Montana. I dare you. Make |
| disappointed. Bird watchers and bird hunters both | | | | the trip. You will not be disappointed either. |